The Benno Ballooner Ladies’ 8i does many things really well. It emanates happiness. It elicits reactions. It excites people who ride, and encourages those who don’t but want to. It’s equipped for longer commutes, but it also evokes memories of short youthful rides on long summer days. One look at its luscious, persimmon-orange paint and French vanilla tires, and you won’t rest until you fulfill your sudden and subconscious desire for a Creamsicle (which, by the way, has earned a national day of recognition on August 14).

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There’s no “throwing a leg over” to take the Benno Ballooner Ladies’ 8i for a ride—standover is so low you barely have to lift a foot to step through the frame (a confidence booster for inexperienced riders). You’ll appreciate the Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal hub for its low maintenance and generous gears, the intuitive Rapidfire shifting, and the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for their precise stopping power. The steel fork keeps road jitters from creeping up through your arms and teeth, and 2.35-inch-wide balloon tires (the cream inside this cool treat) will grace you with their ability to roll fast and smooth. Matching fenders and rims, a retro aluminum crankset and pedals, and super-comfortable ergo grips top off this well-appointed bicycle.

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The Benno Ballooner is rear-rack compatible, and Benno offers two models: one for disc and one for rim.

Trevor Raab

A Bevy of Ballooners

The women’s 8-speed, internally geared, step-through model you see here is just a fraction of the Ballooners from which you have to choose. There’s also the equivalent men’s 8i step-over model in olive green. If a wider gear range is more your speed, you also have the option of the men’s and women’s $950 27D (Shimano Acera/Alivio 27-speed; the D stands for derailleur) and two models each of the men’s and women’s $800 24D (Shimano Altus 24-speed). And, finally, if disc brakes aren’t on your need list, and you want to save a few bucks, there are five (two men’s, three women’s) rim-brake options in the $680 8D group (Shimano Altus 8-speed). Every bike mentioned before this sentence has the same spec—the only differences being type of brakes, color of tires, and number of gears. Of course, you might put brake and gear preferences aside and let frame color call the shots—this may be your only chance to own a bike with pistachio green or yellow curry paint.

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Basic Parts Spec

As with most bikes in this category, the Ballooner 8i’s components list certainly isn’t extensive or high-tech (it doesn’t have to be). A Rapidfire lever controls the Shimano Alfine internally geared 8-speed hub. Creamy white, 2.35-inch-wide balloon tires keep you rolling fast and smooth. And Shimano hydraulic disc brakes bring you to a stop. Need a little utility with your cruiser bike? The lightweight aluminum Ballooner rear rack costs $80 and holds up to 55 pounds.

Internal Gearing

A Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal hub is low maintenance.

Noteworthy Details

An intricate, fancy rear dropout should never go unnoticed.

Excellent Stoppers

Shimano hydraulic disc brakes bring your Ballooner to a full stop.

Beefy Tires

The 2.35-inch-wide balloon tires are smooth riding and fast rolling.

Retro Appeal

The brushed-aluminum crankset adds to this bike’s vintage looks.

Special Finishing Touches

You know a bike has that little extra something when it catches the eyes of passersby. For the Ballooner 8i, the color scheme tops the list. Other features fighting for that top spot: the elegant frame shape, matching fenders and rims, the brushed finish on the retro aluminum crankset, and the chocolate-brown grips and saddle. Look closely, and you’ll notice two very distinctive features: the equally fancy rear dropouts and investment-cast (a lost-wax process that lets manufacturers achieve complex shapes and intricate details) fork crown. All together, the parts spec and special features create a cohesive and classy package.

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Matching fenders and rims, an investment-cast fork crown, creamy white tires, and that sweet little “b” for Benno. This is no slapped-together, get-it-out-the-door ride.

Trevor Raab

Ride Impressions

There’s a lot to say about a bike that washes away stress the second you lay eyes on it, then completely cleanses you of it the minute you start riding it. It also happens to be company owner Benno Baenziger’s favorite Benno model. “It’s my approach to make a sporty bike more comfortable or a comfortable bike more sporty,” he says.

That pretty much sums up the Ballooner. Riding position is upright when you want it to be, but a little aggressive when you need it to be. The wide tires are both comfortable and fast, and equally at home on bike paths and road commutes. The big saddle and ergo grips take that comfort level up yet another notch. The bike feels balanced and stable in every situation—climbing, descending, cornering, hopping curbs, and racing your 11-year-old son for fun (who, by the way, had no problem riding the Ballooner, given its generous standover). It’s the kind of bike that seamlessly goes from casual cruises to crosstown commutes. But no matter where you take it, everyone’s going to want a taste of this Creamsicle.

jennifer sherryIn her previous role as managing editor, Jen Sherry was often referred to as the voice of god.

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